Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Discover What A DMX Merger Does

By Casandra Newton


Lighting and stage directors today use the communications standard known as DMX512. With the help of a DMX Merger, it is used most commonly to control on stage lighting as well as lighting effects in a computerized way so as to make the process more automated and professional. The standard covers electrical characteristics, data protocol, data format, and connector types.

DMX512 has quickly become the chosen and often singular method for connecting lighting controllers and dimmers, and is also more technologically advanced to control devices like fog machines and moving lights. DMX512is short for Digital Multiplex with 512 pieces of information, however, it is almost always referred to by its shorter name. The standard was created in the 1980s and had some revisions in the 1990s.

DMX512 provides up to 512 channel controls for each data link it has. Oftentimes, these are required so a merging solution is needed in order to obtain the wanted results for the equipment and lighting systems which are in place. The DMX merge controller is one of these solutions; the unit is made to merge together two DMX512 sources into only one output.

Included with the DMX merge control is a 120-240 volt power supply need to operate the unit. The merger unit is a single rack compact with connection for the DMX512 on both the front and the back. Likely the best thing about the DMX512 standard is that even with future updates and revisions, existing equipment will not be affected and can still be used.

Stage lighting is a term that applies to the lighting used during the production of theater, performance arts, opera, and dance. There are many different pieces of equipment and systems used to light most modern productions, even those that seem relatively simple in nature. Those who work with stage lighting both on stage and behind the scenes are known as lighting technicians.

A lighting technicians work is a massive part of most productions, whether the audience realized it or not. Lighting during a production adds a huge amount of drama, depth, and enhancements. The lighting plan can be as complex as an entire light show with special effects and timers, or it can be as simple as one spot light shining down on a character.

There are many different functions for stage lighting, mostly depending on the type of production, the equipment on hand, and the budget involved. These functions include selective visibility, focus, location and time of day, and projection. The four main properties of stage lighting are focus, direction, intensity and color, and all are used in most stage productions in tandem with each other.

Projection lighting is used to add to a piece of scenery, project elements onto a blank scene, or be the scenery itself, with the assistance of a DMX Merger. Focus lighting is when certain lighting element are used to direct the audience's attention either to or away from something on the stage. Intensity and color are used because colors, such as red, can evoke emotion and add different feelings and effects to a scene or element on stage.




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